About this topic
Chest pain is felt in the upper part of your childs body from their neck to their belly. Your child may feel pain, pressure, or tightness. Most often, the cause of the pain comes from the bones, muscles, tendons, and nerves in the chest. The pain may also be caused by something outside of the chest, like your child's stomach. Other times, the chest pain may be caused by stress or worry. Sometimes it is also caused by a problem with the heart or lungs. The chest pain may be caused by a serious health problem or by something not as serious. ‚
The doctor may use tests to record your child's heartbeats, use x-rays, or take their blood pressure to understand their chest pain. Treatment will depend on what is causing your child's chest pain. ‚
What are the causes?
Some of the problems that may be causing the pain could be related to your childs heart, like: ‚
- Low blood flow to the heart from a heart defect that has been present since birth
- Problems with how the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart work or how they developed
- Abnormal heartbeats. This is arrhythmia.
- Irritation of the sac around the heart. This is pericarditis.
Some of the problems that may be causing the pain may not be related to your child's heart, like: ‚
- Lung problems like collapsed lung, blood clots, asthma, pneumonia, or bronchitis
- High pressure in the lungs
- Problems from sickle cell disease or a tumor
- Rib injuries or muscle pain
- Digestive problems like ulcers, indigestion, gastric reflux, or a foreign body
- Panic attack
What are the main signs?
- Chest pain of any type should be checked by a doctor.
- Signs that may show a more serious cause of chest pain are:
- Squeezing or tightness in the chest which may spread to the back, neck, jaw, shoulders, or arms
- Trouble breathing
- Pain that radiates to the back or is made worse by lying down
- Upset stomach or throwing up
- Pain that gets worse with exercise
- Feeling faint or dizzy
- If your child has chest pain with any of these signs, call for emergency help.
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
The doctor will do an exam and talk to you about your childs history. Be sure to tell the doctor about others in your family with chest pain or heart problems. The doctor will ask questions about your child's pain. Your doctor may order: ‚
- Lab tests
- Chest x-ray
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Echocardiogram
- Ultrasound
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Your childs treatment will depend on what is causing the pain. Many times, drugs may be given to treat the problem. Any chest pain could be serious. Always talk to the doctor about your child's chest pain. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
If chest pain is caused by a heart-related problem, the doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Thin the blood
- Dissolve a blood clot
- Lower the work of the heart
- Increase blood flow to the heart muscle
- Relax the heart and help avoid spasms in the arteries
If chest pain is caused by something other than your heart, the doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Treat stomach problems
- Help with breathing
- Help your child relax
- Control coughing
What problems could happen?
- Heart attack
- Other heart problems like abnormal heart beat that is too fast or too slow
- Blood clot in the lungs
- Death
Last Reviewed Date
2015-11-02 ‚
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Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚